Monday, September 21, 2009

Sweet Sweater Rosettes

The past week has been filled to the brim with design work, kid's homework and activities plus all the usual. That doesn't mean that I haven't been dreaming of new projects. Over the weekend, I took a crafty time out and made a half dozen or so of these happy rosettes from recycled felted wool sweaters. The idea stemmed from a rosey wreath project by Betz White in the new Holiday Crafts magazine by Better Homes and Gardens that I'm planning to make very soon. This tutorial focuses on a hair clip, but the idea can easily be adapted for pony tail holders, headbands and pins.

To felt wool: Place your thrifted or unwanted 100 percent wool sweaters in the washing machine. Wash on the HOT cycle. Place the sweaters in the dryer. Basically do all that you would never dare do with 100 percent wool sweaters and feel very rebellious. Next, go over to your local tattoo parlor...kidding. Do that after you make your rosettes.

For the patterns, left click on the above image and print. Your circle pattern should be approximately 3 inches. If for some reason your circle prints larger or smaller than three inches, adjust the print percentage as necessary.

Using your pattern, cut a circle from the rose wool color. Then, cut a spiral shape using the pattern as a guide. It doesn't have to be perfect (no flower is) so wing it with confidence.

Starting from the outside of the spiral, use fabric glue to attach at the bottom edge of the flower. Wind to shape the rosette.

When you get to the end of the spiral, glue the flower to the end of the wool like so.

To decorate the hair clip, take a coordinating color of 3/8 inch wide ribbon cut to 4 1/2 inches in length. Starting from the back of the clip, hot glue the ribbon up, around, over and under the clippie.

Next, cut two leafs from the leaf-colored felted wool using the pattern as a guide. Hot glue the leaf shapes to the clip followed by the rosette.

Make a rosette to match every outfit. Take a deep breath, smile and go back to the real world. Tattoos optional.

Really great tute, and inspiring as well. I've been dying to throw some of my old wool sweaters in the washer, and now I have a great excuse. Thanks for giving me the chance to be rebellious and crafty at the same time!

Just want to say thanks, thanks, thanks for this lovely tutorial. Your flowers are so adorable and I love how easy it is to make. I did make one so far as a pin for my wool winter hat. Love it! I posted pics on my FB page and link'd back to your tutorial so everyone can see the inspiration.I'm a big fan! Edie

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I'm making some fabric fairy houses for the little girls on my Christmas list this year and these rosettes will look grand in the garden!Such a simple idea, but I wouldn't have come up with it myself!